Fun Things To Do In Hershey, Pennsylvania

Hershey, Pennsylvania has so many fun things to do. I had no idea the full amount until I really looked into it. In all honesty, several trips would have to be made to do all the amazing things there are to do. Especially if you really want to take your time. So here are some great things I got to do. Also I will mention some things I want to do next time, since time didn’t permit.

We spent a good amount of time in here. It is great to see the full history of Milton Hershey. His humble beginnings into what is now a Hershey empire is pretty cool to see. They have many pieces he used and there are some interactive areas. They also have a little booklet for kids to fill out. It is a great learning experiences for all ages. It is also nice to see all that is still going on and how much he gave back to the community.

The first level has Hershey’s time in Cuba. For a short span of time they had held some operations there. We got to take a look inside of area. This was also an interactive area with a paper they give you to find out answers to questions. We wanted to do the Chocolate Lab and Countries of Origins Chocolate Tasting there as well, but we were told we had just missed it. So another reason to go back!

Hershey’s Chocolate World

This place is pretty awesome. Besides being able to buy any Hershey made candy, they also have pretty much anything Hershey swag you can think of. Hats, t-shirts, stuffed animals, over sized candy bars etc. There is also a free, yup FREE Hershey’s Chocolate Tour Ride. It is pretty cool too. You get to sit down in a moving car that takes you throughout and shows and tells you how it made etc hosted by Hershey’s candy characters.

There are tickets on sale for the other attractions. They can be bought in a bundle or separately. Being here you should definitely crave some time out in your day, because this is some hours in the making. The Chocolate Mystery 4D Movie was cool. We enjoyed the 4D experience with the sights, smells, and more. It was also very unique in how within the movie they interact with the audience.

We took a load off our feet just in time of a rain storm and boarded the Hershey Trolley Works Tour. Two people dressed in period clothing lead an entertaining tour talking about the history and pointing things out as we drove around the area. There were even visits from a host of people in Milton Hershey’s life. Songs were sung, questions were answered, and chocolate was passed out. The only complaint I have is that everyone on the trolley was freezing. I ended up getting sick after that ride.

We got pretty hungry and tired. We had a good amount of time before the next activities started, so we headed out for food. Unfortunately we didn’t get to do the Create Your Own Candy Bar experience or the Chocolate Tasting Experience. Are you sensing a pattern here? So now I have to go back to do that. Of course all experiences come with free chocolate! Feel free to indulge!

Hershey Gardens & Tropical Butterfly Atrium At The Conservatory

Walking around 23 acres of botanical gardens is a lot. Don’t feel the pressure to walk the entire grounds, but maybe enjoy a portion of it. It is beautiful to see the many different types of flowers, trees, shrubs, etc. There is also a children’s area, with many learning features. It is really peaceful and pretty seeing all the colorful flowers.

Inside there is a tropical butterfly atrium. It isn’t that big, but it is fun. If you are one of those people who are freaked out by things landing on you this may not be for you. Some butterflies will land on you, especially if it is earlier in the day. No worries they double-check you before you leave to make sure one didn’t stick to you. If you have questions, like I did there are a few people walking around to answer any questions you may have. It is humid inside the area, because I mean come on, tropical butterflies, so just keep this in mind.

Hershey Park and Zoo America

I personally didn’t get to visit the zoo, but some in my group did. So guess what? Another reason for me to go back. I did however get to experience Hershey Park for the first time and it was so much fun. I hadn’t been to a theme park in a few years. I was very excited for the rollercoasters. We visited right before we had to head back home so I definitely have to go back to go on more rides and repeat others.

A water park is also inside, seasonal of course. Comes with a lazy river, a fun look play place for kids, which I heard was partly closed down. I loved a lot of the rides I got on, but two of my favorite were Fahrenheit, which goes straight up and drops you straight down with the quickness. Laff Trak was another rollercoaster that was so much fun as it was in the dark. It was inside and had glow in the dark features. If the line wasn’t semi long I believe we would have gotten back on it.

Indian Echo Caverns

Indian Echo Caverns isn’t in Hershey, but it is pretty close by. I recommend a visit for sure! Really cool to go 120 feet underground and see a place were people once lived, hid, and stored things. We were also told that many have gotten married inside. One area even resembling a wedding due to the flowstone. A petting zoo, playground, and gem mining is also on the premises. You can learn more about my time here.

Some places that we missed that I would love to go back and check out are Adventure Sports, which has go-karts, mini golf, bumper boats, outdoor laser tag, and more. Just sounds right up my alley! Even though I am not a drinker I really wanted to have a different experience and check out the Hershey Vineyard and Brewery. It sounded pretty awesome. So hopefully next time that is something to visit.

There is so much more to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania I feel like I could be writing forever all the things I want to go back and do just in that area alone. Not even including the surrounding areas. That is a laundry list and I will get to more of those soon.

Have you been to Hershey, PA?

Disclaimer: Thank you to Visit Hershey & Harrisburg and the above attractions we visited for having us. While being hosted all opinions and views are my own.

16 Comments

Wow, I’d love to visit the Hershey Chocolate World and board the Hershey Trolley Works Tour. Also, the Hershey story museum has to be an interesting one – learning how the man made such a huge brand successful ! Theme parks and petting zoos are also things that interest me. What a perfect little getaway!

Kathleen C

We were able to spend one day in Hershey as we were driving through. Actually, we went out of our way a little to go there. It was certainly a yummy day. It looks like I missed a whole lot of great things to see. I will have to go again the next time we are in that area. The caverns certainly look beautiful.

Kita

A while back, I remember Hershey billed as “The Sweetest Place on Earth”. It looks like they are doing a lot round out their activities. The chocolate tours still look beautiful and amazing but the zoo and cave tours seem interesting in their own right.

It was so funny to find this post. We were just in Hershey last week. As true chocoholics, we spent most of our time in Hershey’s Chocolate World. A sweet treat on our trip. I wish we could have visited the gardens and Echo Cavern. But our engine light came on so we had to sprint to find a garage! But it is an easy drive from Toronto so we know we can go back.

I grew up loving Hershey’s kisses. So this place is very interesting for me. Would love to visit one day the Hershey Chocolate World and board the Hershey Trolley Works Tour. Amazing how a man made this possible. The outdoors are always interesting to children and adults both. So a big yes.

Hershey Park has always been one of my favorite theme parks! I love that you can get super-cheap admission if you go late in the day, plus no lines. And the Chocolate World ride is great too! Not sure how it would be as an adult, but I have very fond childhood memories of Hershey (and the Hershey kisses on top of all the lightposts 🙂 )

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HollyDayz

Born and raised in Queens, NY; Holly is a producer and writer with a Master's Degree in Producing for Film & Television who's wanderlust has led her across the globe sharing pictures, tips, and her experiences to fellow explorers.

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